Who is on my Health Care Team?

What is the team approach and how does it work at the Guelph Community Health Centre?

When you become a client of the Guelph CHC you will be assigned your own Primary Provider. Your Provider may be a Nurse Practitioner or a Family Physician. Our reception staff will work to ensure you have consistent appointments with someone who knows your health history well. Nurse Practitioners and Family Doctors work in small teams so they can consult according to their expertise and cover for each other in the case of absences. A Registered Practical Nurse is also assigned to each of the small teams. You may receive care from another Primary Provider on your team if your assigned Provider is unavailable.

Some of our clients receive health care at the Wyndham House Youth Clinic and the Welcome In Drop In. Clients served at these outreach locations will be seen by the Provider who is attending this Outreach service on that day.

What is an Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners (NPs), are registered nurses with advanced university degrees in Family Health Care who are able to order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, prescribe medicines and perform specific procedures such as a PAP or immunizations. Like Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners are able to make referrals to other health care services and specialists, when needed.

What is a Family Doctor?

A Family Doctor is a Medical Doctor who has specialized in family medicine. Our Family Doctors have both broad background knowledge as well as specialized training and experience to help support the unique needs of the Guelph Community Health Centre clients.

What is a Registered Practical Nurse?

Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) are nurses who have studied clinical nursing for 2.5 years at an accredited college in both classroom and clinical settings. They hold a diploma in Practical Nursing.

Your health care team may also include a Social Worker, a Dietitian, a Parent Outreach Worker, a Parent Educator.

What is a Social Worker?

Social Workers are specifically trained and qualified to deliver a range of counselling and psychotherapy services that effect long-lasting and positive change on many levels. Our Social Workers have their Masters in Social Work, and experience and training in trauma based support and client advocacy.

What is a Dietitian?

Registered Dietitians use their knowledge and skills in food and nutrition to promote good health. They are health care professionals who have earned a Bachelor’s degree specializing in food and nutrition, have completed supervised practical training through a university program or an approved hospital or community setting and are registered with their provincial regulatory bodies.

What is a Parent Outreach Worker?

Parent Outreach Workers connect families to neighbourhood and community programs, provide support to families and parents and coordinate programs and events in our priority neighbourhoods. Our Parent Outreach Workers are approachable, compassionate and bring a wide variety of experiences and skills to their roles.

What is a Parent Educator?

Parent Educators use evidence based approaches to provide parenting education and support to both individuals and groups in order to provide parents with tools and strategies to deal with issues that our priority populations families face.